Training & Pruning in Fruit Crops
· 2026-10-02 22:12:47 · 8 views · 0 downloads
Training & Pruning in Fruit CropsTrainingJudicious removal of part to develop a proper shape and form of plant, for capable heavy crop load.
ObjectiveShape and form of young tree.
Strong frame work.
Balance between vegetative and reproductive growth of tree.
Training should be started from very beginning of the plant.
Method
Judicious removal of part to develop a proper shape and form of plant, for capable heavy crop load.
ObjectiveShape and form of young tree.
Strong frame work.
Balance between vegetative and reproductive growth of tree.
Training should be started from very beginning of the plant.
Method
Shape and form of young tree.
Strong frame work.
Balance between vegetative and reproductive growth of tree.
Training should be started from very beginning of the plant.
1. Central Leader / Closed Centred System
Tree attain robust shape, not suitable for HDP.
E.g.: Pear, plum, apricot, cherry, chestnut, pecanut, mango and sapota.
2. Open Centre System / Vase Shaped
Plant takes a bowl shape.
Better interception of light by all the shoots of the tree.
3. Modified Leader System
Intermediate from central leader and open centre system, most widely adopted.
E.g.: Apple, pear, European plum, sweet cherry, guava.
4. Single Stem System
Fig, citrus, annona.
5. Multi-stemmed System
Pomegranate, fig, custard apple.
Special Method of Training
1. Bower / Pandal / Arbour / Pergola System
Commonly practiced in grapes.
The wines are trained on criss-cross network of wires.
2. Telephone / Overhead Trellis System
This system is also known as 6-canes system.
E.g.: Grape.
3. Espalier System
Similar to kniffin system.
Espalier – French word – a fence, a fruit wall or paling.
4. Cardon System
Developed by Breuil in 19th century in France.
It is a single stem tree system.
Mainly used in gardens as a catalogue of varieties.
E.g.: Peach.
5. Tatura Trellis
Developed by David Chalmers in 1973 at Irrigation Research Institute, Tatura, Australia.
Highest yield without use of dwarf rootstock.
E.g.: Pome and nut fruits.
6. Head System
E.g.: Grape.
7. Kniffin System
Known as 4-canes system.
E.g.: Grape (medium vigour’s cultivar).
8. Bush System
E.g.: Apple.
9. Hedge Row Plantations
Suitable for mechanized cultivation.
10. Meadow Orchard
Developed in Israel.
Ultra HDP, 45 × 75 cm in the row.
11. Spindle Bush
Developed in Germany.
12. Two Arm Kniffin System
Passion fruit.
Other Training SystemsSingle stem system: Fig, citrus, annona.
Multi-stemmed system: Pomegranate, fig, custard apple.
Systems with supporting structures include: Pandal, bower, espalier, kniffin, telephone, tatura trellis.
Without help of support: Head, palmette, spindle bush, dwarf pyramid, head and spread system.
PruningRemoval of any plant part to maintain the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth to obtain the better yield.
Method
Single stem system: Fig, citrus, annona.
Multi-stemmed system: Pomegranate, fig, custard apple.
Systems with supporting structures include: Pandal, bower, espalier, kniffin, telephone, tatura trellis.
Without help of support: Head, palmette, spindle bush, dwarf pyramid, head and spread system.
Removal of any plant part to maintain the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth to obtain the better yield.
Method
1. Heading Back
Removal of terminal portion of shoot leaving basal portion intact.
2. Thinning
Selective and complete removal of part of the plant.
E.g.: Mango, loquat, quince, olive.
Intensity of Pruning
1. Light Pruning
Guava, kinnow, mandarin and litchi.
2. Slightly Severe Pruning
Apple.
3. Heavy / Severe Pruning
Phalsa, ber and mulberry.
Citrus is rarely pruned except lemon.
NAA is most commonly used for pruning.
Special Types of Pruning
1. Root Pruning
Mandarin.
2. Dehorning
Mango.
3. Ringing
Mango, grape.
4. Notching
Fig.
5. Nicking
Apple, fig.
6. Bending
Guava (Allahabad region of UP).
7. Smudging
Mango.
8. Girdling
Grape.
9. Thinning
Grape, peach, plum, quince.
10. Leaf Pruning
Date palm.
11. Top Working / Top Grafting / Top Budding
Mango, apple.
12. Cincturing
Persimmon, litchi.
13. Skirting
Mango.